Tag Archives: stuc

Scotland: Commemorating International Workers Memorial Day – STUC

International Workers’ Memorial Day (IWMD) is the day that the trade union movement unites to remember workers at home andIWMD logo across the globe who have paid the ultimate price, those who left for work and never returned.

International Workers’ Memorial Day is on the 28th April 2024.

We “Remember the Dead, and Fight for the Living” by pledging to fight for healthier and safer workplaces. Scottish Hazards research indicates that, in Scotland, more than 10 people die each day as a result of work-related incidents and illness. Many of these deaths are caused by health & safety failures.

Events take place across Scotland to commemorate those who lost their lives at work:

Thursday 25th April

Irvine: Memorial Garden, Kilwinning Road: 1pm

Friday 26th April

Aberdeen: Aberdeen City Council Trade Unions, Duthie Park: 10.30am

Aberdeen: Action on Asbestos, Johnstone Gardens: 12 noon

Alloa: Memorial Stone, Kilncraigs (adjacent to Clackmannanshire HQ): 10.30am

Bathgate: Bathgate Sports Centre, Torpichen Road: 11am

Greenock: Clyde Square, Greenock: 11am

Inverness: Workers’ Memorial, Friar’s Shot, Huntly Street (provisional): 12 noon

Kirkwall: Memorial Tree, Orkney Island Council Offices: 12 noon

South Ayrshire: Rozelle House, Monument Road, Ayr 10am

Stirling: Memorial Tree, Old Viewforth: 10.45am

Saturday 27th April

Alexandria: Memorial Tree, Christie Park: 1pm

Clydebank: Truth and Justice Square, Hume Street: 1pm

Falkirk: Bandstand, Callendar Riggs, Falkirk: 11am

Glasgow: Workers Memorial, People’s Palace/ Winter Gardens, Glasgow Green: 12 noon

Kilmarnock: Memorial Tree, Dean Country Park: 11am

Kirkcaldy: Memorial Tree, Beveridge Park: 11am

Sunday 28th April

Aberdeen: Persley Walled Garden, Bridge of Don: 1pm

Bonnyrigg: Michael McGahey Memorial, George V Park, Bonnyrigg: 12.30pm

Coatbridge: Summerlee Industrial Museum, Heritage Way, Coatbridge: 12 noon

Dundee: Memorial Tree, adjacent to Discovery Point, Riverside Drive: 12 noon

Edinburgh: Memorial and Tree, West Princes Street Gardens: 12.30pm

Forfar: Forfar Community Campus, Kirriemuir Road: 11.30am

Hamilton: Townhouse, Beckford Street: 11.45am

Paisley: Workers Memorial , Renfrewshire House, Cotton Street: 12 noon

Renfrew: Workers Memorial Cairn, Robertson Park, Paisley Road: 11am

https://www.stuc.org.uk/about-iwmd/

Scotland: Fatalities at work double – #iwmd23

New information revealed by the Scottish TUC and Scottish Hazards show those dying as a result of work has reached its highest levels since 2019, prompting urgent calls for reform of corporate homicide legislation.

The STUC, Scotland’s largest trade union body and Scottish Hazards, the national charity for safety at work, published the information today on International Workers’ Memorial Day.

Provisional data from the organisations show that 21 workers died as a result of industrial harm this past year, almost doubling the 2019 total (11). Scottish Hazards believe the number is far higher when encompassing road traffic accidents connected to work, occupational disease and workplace related suicides.

The move has prompted calls from the bodies for the Scottish Government to replace the Corporate Homicide Act (2007), reforming legislation to introduce new statutory offences to hold companies and corporations to account for workplace deaths. Since the Act was introduced, over 300 workers have died, but there have been no prosecutions recorded or justice served for bereaved families.

International Workers’ Memorial Day is the national day of recognition for all those who have died at work. STUC General Secretary Roz Foyer called the data “galling” and called for further protections for those at work.

Commenting, Ms Foyer said:

“It’s incumbent on Scotland’s trade union movement to remember all those who have died at work and pledge to make the workplace safer in their honour.

“It’s unacceptable and frankly galling that the amount of workers in Scotland who have died at work has increased.

“Bosses are ultimately responsible for workers health and safety and they must be held accountable.

“We cannot allow this to pass unchecked and on International Workers’ Memorial Day, the STUC reiterate our call to remember the dead whilst fighting for the living.”

Ian Tasker, Scottish Hazards Chief Executive added

“In January 2021, Humza Yousaf, then Cabinet Secretary for Justice said in a Scottish Parliament debate that he wanted to work with bereaved families to develop culpable homicide proposals that addressed reserved matters.

“Sadly, nothing happened and it was no more than warm words in a debate.

“Scottish Hazards wants corporate killing legislation that is seen as a deterrent. Businesses cannot so wilfully put workers lives at risk. We need a just and proper punishment for those who, through corporate negligence and neglect, put workers’ lives at risk in the workplace.”

https://stuc.org.uk/media-centre/news/1692/fatalities-at-work-doubles-in-scotland

Scotland: Unions call for Injuries Council on International Workers Memorial Day – STUC

Trade unions from across Scotland have backed the calls from an MSP to establish a new expert council to support the delivery of a Scottish social security benefit to be paid to workers injured as a result of industrial harm.

The Scottish Trades Union Congress – Scotland’s largest trade union body – in addition to affiliated trade unions from across the country have backed the Scottish Employment Injuries Advisory Council Members’ Bill from Scottish Labour MSP Mark Griffin. The bill seeks to use new social security powers devolved to the Scottish Parliament to establish an independent council with permanent, independent trade union representation. The council would have powers to research workplace injury and diseases and recommend to government it pays specific welfare benefits to be paid to those injured as a result of workplace incidents.

Writing to the Scottish Government, STUC General Secretary Roz Foyer has called for workers to be “put at the heart” of any new benefit.

The call comes today on International Workers’ Memorial Day, the national day of reflection for all those who have died at work throughout the past year. Statistics from the International Labour Organisation (ILO) show that over 2.3 million workers succumb to work-related accidents or diseases every year.

Commenting, STUC General Secretary Roz Foyer said: “International Workers’ Memorial Day is an opportunity to remember those who have died at work. We cannot let their memory fade as we strive to build safer, more secure workplaces.

“By backing Mark Griffin’s Bill on introducing an Employment Injuries Advisory Council, we can achieve that safer future for Scotland’s workforce. We must use the full powers of our parliament to increase the voice of Scotland’s workers who have been injured as a result of their work.

“We owe it to those workers who, inexplicably and cruelly, didn’t make it home at the end of their shifts. We must fight for a better future. We hope the Scottish Government will work constructively with Mark and all other MSPs backing the Bill to achieve this. Commenting, Mark Griffin MSP:

“It is workers who know their workplaces best seeing day in day out the risks to their health and lives, so it is vital their voice is central to the newly devolved industrial injuries benefit.

“The strength of support for this bill from trade unions and affiliates across the labour movement is hugely welcome.”

Tony Slaven, Chair of the STUC Disabled Workers Committee:

“Thousands of people are living daily with disabilities as a direct consequence of an injury or disease caused from work.

“The pandemic has starkly and tragically highlighted that the industrial injuries benefit system needs overhauled to make it reflect modern and new diseases which can be contracted in the workplace.

“Disabled workers are not just overlooked – we are deliberately discriminated against. Establishing a Scottish Industrial Injuries Advisory Council could be transformational for disabled people and provide workers facing the worst with some justice and the support from the state they deserve.”

Statement

https://stuc.org.uk/media-centre/news/1691/unions-call-for-injuries-council-on-international-workers-memorial-day

Scotland: STUC says increase in worker fatalities is “unacceptable and frankly galling” #iwmd23

Commenting on an STV news report Scottish TUC said: “It’s unacceptable and frankly galling that the amount of workers in Scotland who have died at work has increased. We cannot allow this to pass unchecked and on #IWMD23, the STUC reiterate our call to remember the dead whilst fighting for the living.”

Workplace fatalities at highest level since 2019, study finds, STV News, 28 April 2023

Scotland: 28 April events throughout Scotland

Events throughout Scotland – STUC listing

Aberdeen, Persley Walled Garden, Bridge of Don, Friday 28th April, 12.30pm for 1.00pm

Alexandria, Tree, Christie Park Memorial, Saturday 22nd April, 1.00pm

Alloa, Workers Memorial adjacent to Clackmannanshire Council Headquarters, Friday 28th April, 10.30am

Bathgate, Workers Memorial, Bathgate Sports Centre, Torpichen Road, Friday 28th April, 12.30pm

Bonnyrigg, Michael McGahey Memorial, George V Park, Bonnyrigg, Friday 28th April, 12.30pm

Coatbridge, Summerlee Industrial Museum, Heritage Way, Coatbridge, Friday 28th April, 12 noon

Dundee, Memorial Tree, adjacent to Discovery Point, Riverside Drive, Friday 28th April, 12 noon

Edinburgh, Memorial and Tree, West Princes Street Gardens , Friday 28th April, 12.30pm Falkirk, Callendar Riggs Saturday 29th April

Glasgow, Workers Memorial, People’s Palace/ Winter Gardens, Glasgow Green, Friday 28th April, 12 noon

Greenock, Grand Hall, Inverclyde Council HQ followed by wreath laying in Clyde Square, Friday 28th April, 11.45

Hamilton, Townhouse, Beckford Street, Friday 28th April, 11.45

Inverness, Workers Memorial Friar’s Shott/Huntly Street, Inverness, Friday 28th April, 12.30pm

Irvine, Memorial Garden, Kilwinning Road, Thursday 27th April, 6.30pm

Kilmarnock, Memorial Tree, Dean Country Park, Saturday 29th April, 10.45am

Kirkcaldy, Memorial Tree, Beveridge Park, Friday 28th April, 11.00am

Paisley, Workers Memorial , Renfrewshire House, Cotton Street, Friday 28th April, 12 noon

Renfrew, Workers Memorial Cairn, Robertson Park, Paisley Road, Friday 28th April, 11.00am

Stirling, International Workers Memorial Tree, Old Viewforth, Pitt Terrace, 10.30am at the tree

Scotland: Large listing of Scottish 28 April events

Scottish Hazards has published a large listing of 28 April events.

Scotland – Workers Memorial Day – STUC

International Workers Memorial Day Thursday, 28 April 2022

Saltire and union jack at half mast

Across Scotland events will be held to remember those who’ve sadly lost their lives at work over the past year; to pay tribute to the sacrifice of so many workers during the pandemic; and to thank all those who continue to do vital work at great risk.

man laying wreath at memorial

Find an event near you (this listing will be updated with fuller details when available)

Aberdeen Persley Walled Garden, Bridge of Don, AB22 8AQ Thursday 28th April 1.00pm

Alexandria Memorial Tree, Christie Park, Saturday 23rd April 1.00pm

Alloa Workers’ Memorial adjacent to Clackmammanshire Council Headquarters

Bathgate Workers’ Memorial, Bathgate Sports Centre, Torpichen Road Thursday 28th April

Bonnyrigg Michael McGahey Memorial, George V Park Thursday 28th April 12.30pm

Clydebank Truth and Justice Square, Dumbarton Road

Coatbridge Summerlee Heritage Museum, Heritage Way Thursday 28th April

Dundee Memorial Tree, adjacent to Discovery Point, Riverside Drive Thursday 28th April 12 noon

Edinburgh Memorial and Tree, West Princess Street Gardens Thursday 28th April 12.30pm

Falkirk Municipal Buildings, West Bridge Street, Falkirk

Fife Memorial Tree, Beveridge Park Thursday 28th April 12 noon

Greenock Grand Hall, Inverclyde Council HQ

Glasgow Workers’ Memorial People’s Palace/Winter Gardens, Glasgow Green Thursday 28th April 12 noon

Hamilton Townhouse Beckford Street Thursday 28th April

Inverness Workers’ Memorial, Friar’s Shott/Huntly Street Thursday 28th April 12.30pm

Irvine Memorial Garden, Kilwinning Road
Kilmarnock Memorial Tree, Dean Country Park Saturday 30th April 10.45am

Paisley Workers’ Memorial, Renfrewshire House, Cotton Street Thursday 28th April 12 noon

Renfrew Workers’ Memorial Cairn, Robertson Park Thursday 28th April 11.00am

https://stuc.org.uk/campaigns-and-events/events/workers-memorial-day

building lit up purple

Wreath laying at Glasgow memorial

Scotland: International Workers Memorial Day 28th April 2021: Fighting for the right to health and safety for all Scottish Workers

On International Workers’ Memorial Day, the STUC and Scottish Hazards will remind Governments, health and safety enforcement bodies and employers that health and safety is a fundamental right that every worker should be able to enjoy and expect. The two organisations have also written to Scotland’s local authorities and other public bodies to ask that public building and landmarks be lit purple on the 28th April to commemorate all those who have lost their lives as a result of work and remind us of the importance of healthier, safer and fairer work for all.

A minutes silence will be held at 11am to remember those who have lost their lives at work through COVID infection and other workplace accidents and disease.

Roz Foyer, STUC General Secretary said:

In the depths of current crisis, we must pay tribute to all the workers who have lost their lives through COVID infection but also to remember that workplace death, injury and disease is a day and daily occurrence.   We must use the period ahead to make workplaces safer, to strengthen workers voice and collective power and to bring employer and government to account.”

Scott Donohoe, Chair of Scottish Hazards said

“COVID-19 is not only a considerable health and safety risk it has exposed an occupational health and safety crisis that cannot, and should not, be allowed to be forgotten as restriction are eased and workplaces begin to reopen. This is not a return to normality it is a return to workplaces that have to be COVID secure and where the fundamental right for workers to be kept safe at work is respected.

“Since 2010 sustained ideological attacks on our health and safety regulations and our enforcement bodies have left them ill equipped to proactively enforce our fundamental rights and that is why Scottish Hazards is using Workers’ Memorial Day to call for health and safety and laws and enforcement to be devolved to Scotland and plans put in place to create a Scottish Occupational Health and Safety Agency”.

STUC/Scottish Hazards event 10.45am – 11.45am

Details of the buildings to be lit purple to mark International Workers’ Memorial Day on Wednesday

Aberdeen Council HQ, Marischal College, Aberdeen City Council

St Andrew’s House, Edinburgh, Scottish Government

Victoria Quay, Edinburgh, Scottish Government

Perth Bridge, Perth and Kinross Council

Edinburgh Castle, Historic Environment Scotland

Bascule Bridge, Renfrewshire Council

Renfrew Town Hall, Renfrewshire Council

Johnstone Band Stand, Renfrewshire Council

Lerwick Town Hall, Shetland Isalnds Council

SSE Hydro, SEC Glasgow, Glasgow City Council

#iwmd21

Scotland: Join the STUC International Workers’ Memorial Day 1 minute silence on Wednesday 28 April

STUC International Workers Memorial Day Commemoration, Wednesday 28 April at 10:45am

Every year more people are killed at work than in wars. Most don’t die of mystery ailments, or in tragic “accidents”. They die because an employer decided their safety just wasn’t that important a priority. International Workers’ Memorial Day (IWMD) 28 April commemorates those workers.

This year’s event is made even more poignant due to the work-related loss of life due to the COVID Pandemic.

Chair: Rozanne Foyer: STUC General Secretary
Pauline Rourke: CWU
Gary Smith: GMB
Phyllis Craig: Action for Asbestos Scotland
Professor Andy Waterson, Scottish Hazards 

We will be holding a 1 minute silence at 11am.  Register

Scotland: Webinar – ‘Health and Safety is a human right – let’s make it a reality’

International Workers Memorial Day Wednesday 28th April 2021 11am-12noon 

The theme for this year’s International Workers’ Memorial Day is: ‘Health and Safety is a human right – let’s make it a reality.’

With speakers from trade unions and the wider health and safety community.

Chair: Rozanne Foyer: STUC General Secretary

Pauline Rourke: CWU

Gary Smith: GMB

Phyliss Craig: Action for Asbestos Scotland

Professor Andy Waterson

Others TBC

Sign up for the event here

Every year more people are killed at work than in wars. Most don’t die of mystery ailments, or in tragic “accidents”. They die because an employer decided their safety just wasn’t that important a priority. International Workers’ Memorial Day (IWMD) 28 April commemorates those workers.

This year’s event is made even more poignant due to the work-related loss of life due to the COVID Pandemic.